Lauder’s CEM On ‘Strong Path For Growth’
Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. [CEM] — the Bermuda-based European TV and entertainment conglomorate founded by American businessman and philanthropist Ronald Lauder [pictured] — today [Feb. 22] announced financial results for the full year and three months ended December 31, 2011.
Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2011 increased by US$ 127.6 million to US$ 864.8 million compared to 2010 and operating income before depreciation and amortization [OIBDA1] increased by US$ 59.7 million to US$ 167.0 million. Operating income for the year was US$ 6.8 million. Net loss from continuing operations for the year was US$ (179.6) million. Free cash flow2 for the year improved to US$ (3.5) million from US$ (95.5) million for 2010.
Net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2011 increased by US$ 19.5 million to US$ 276.9 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2010. OIBDA for the quarter improved by US$ 16.4 million to US$ 81.2 million. Operating loss for the quarter was US$ (12.1) million. Net loss from continuing operations for the quarter was US$ (77.2) million.
Adrian Sarbu, President and Chief Executive Officer of CME, commented: “In a difficult year we kept our promises: our revenues grew by 17%, our OIBDA increased by 56% and our cash flow improved by 96%. We outperformed the markets following successful implementation of our new business model: One Content, Multiple Distribution.
“We maintained our leadership in each country and reduced like-for-like costs. We have positioned the company on a strong path for growth with revenues driven not only by advertising but also by content and digital distribution. In 2012, we will focus on deleveraging, strengthening our leadership and fuelling new revenue engines.”
Consolidated Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2011
Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2011 increased by 17.3% to US$ 864.8 million from US$ 737.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. Operating income, which included impairment losses of US$ 68.7 million, was US$ 6.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to US$ 22.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. Net loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2011 was US$ (179.6) million compared to a net loss of US$ (116.9) million for the year ended December 31, 2010. Fully diluted loss from continuing operations per share for the year ended December 31, 2011 was US$ (2.71) compared to US$ (1.77) for the year ended December 31, 2010.
OIBDA for the year ended December 31, 2011 increased by 55.6% to US$ 167.0 million from US$ 107.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2010. OIBDA margin3 for the year ended December 31, 2011 increased to 19.3% from 14.6% in the year ended December 31, 2010.
Consolidated Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2011
Net revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2011 increased by 7.6% to US$ 276.9 million from US$ 257.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010. Operating loss for the quarter, which included impairment losses of US$ 68.7 million, was US$ (12.1) million compared to operating income of US$ 41.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010. Net loss for the quarter was US$ (77.2) million compared to a net loss of US$ (25.4) million for the three months ended December 31, 2010. Fully diluted loss per share for the three months ended December 31, 2011 was US$ (1.12) compared to a loss of US$ (0.41) in the same period of 2010.
OIBDA for the three months ended December 31, 2011 increased to US$ 81.2 million from US$ 64.8 million in the three months ended December 31, 2010. OIBDA margin for the three months ended December 31, 2011 increased to 29.3% from 25.2% in the three months ended December 31, 2010.
CME is a media and entertainment company operating leading businesses in six Central and Eastern European markets with an aggregate population of approximately 50 million people. CME’s broadcast operations are located in Bulgaria (bTV, bTV Cinema, bTV Comedy, bTV Action, bTV Lady and Ring.bg), Croatia (Nova TV, Doma and Nova World), the Czech Republic (TV Nova, Nova Cinema, Nova Sport and MTV Czech), Romania (PRO TV, PRO TV International, Acasa, PRO Cinema, Sport.ro, MTV Romania and PRO TV Chisinau Moldova), the Slovak Republic (TV Markíza and Doma) and Slovenia (POP TV, Kanal A and the POP NON STOP subscription package). CME’s broadcast operations are supported by its production and distribution division, Media Pro Entertainment, as well as its New Media division, which operates Voyo, the pan-regional video-on-demand service.
CME is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and the Prague Stock Exchange.
